Lindsay Clancy faces trial for the January 24, 2023 strangulation deaths of her three children, ages 8 months to 5 years, in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Clancy's defense argues she suffered from postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible due to insanity. Prosecutors say she deliberately killed her children while not in a psychotic state [1, 2].

Clancy attempted to harm herself by jumping out of a second-story window after the deaths, resulting in paralysis from the waist down and use of a wheelchair, her defense said [2]. Jury deliberations in the trial continue in August 2026 [1, 2].

Postpartum psychosis is a rare mental health emergency affecting about 1 to 2 women per 1,000 births, experts say. Dozens of supporters have attended court wearing pink to raise awareness of maternal mental health during the proceedings, according to reports [2]. Lawyer Kelly Woods of Chicago said, "That is a very under-considered element of this case. I certainly hope that the medical community can learn from this. I ultimately hope that there is more advocacy for postpartum depression and psychosis" [2].

A separate case in the Bronx drew attention during the Clancy trial. Dimone Fleming was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022 after the deaths of her two children, ages 3 years and 11 months. Her children were found stabbed in a bathtub following a 911 call on November 26, 2022 reporting water and smoke in her apartment [3, 4].

Mental health experts agreed Fleming was psychotic at the time, experiencing hallucinations and believing a spirit invaded her body. Fleming was diagnosed with major depressive disorder but did not consistently take medication and used marijuana daily, court documents showed [3, 4]. Fleming remains in custody and will undergo further psychiatric evaluation. Her next court date is scheduled for September 18, 2026 [3, 4].

Columbus Canada, father of one of Fleming’s children, said, "I forgive Fleming. She is a good person and a loving mother" [3].

The ongoing deliberations in Clancy’s trial and Fleming’s case highlight rising attention to maternal mental illness in criminal courts. Jury decisions are pending in Clancy’s case this month, while Fleming’s next hearing is set for mid-September [2, 3, 4].